Donald Lloyd Briggs

November 24, 1932 - January 7, 2020

Donald Lloyd Briggs passed away on January 7, 2020, following a lengthy illness. Known as Don to family and friends, he will be sorely missed. Don was born on November 24, 1932, in Milo, Missouri, to parents Floyd Nelson Briggs and Lela Claire Wilson Briggs. He had a younger sister, (Vera) Darlene Briggs. In 1933 the family moved to Alta Loma, California, where Don attended local elementary schools and graduated from Chaffey High School in 1950. He continued his education at Chaffey College but left school to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1951. After completing his service, Don went to work for General Dynamics, where he became a quality engineer, working in the United States, Canada, and Europe. He met his late wife, Theresia Maria Bakker, while working in the Netherlands. They were married on July 29, 1968, and Don brought Theresia to the United States in 1970. They settled in Southern California, eventually buying property in Ramona, California, where they built a home and planted an avocado grove. Don retired from General Dynamics in 1988, after 34 years of employment. He and Theresia later moved to Oceanside, California, where they lived until Theresia’s death in 1997. Don met Mary Evelyn Sims Holland of Escondido, California, at a gathering of the Widows and Widowers Club of North County. They were married on April 25, 1998, and made their home in Escondido. Don never had children of his own, but he readily adapted to being a step-parent to Mary’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, assisting with childcare, giving rides to and from school, and helping out in any way he could. Don dedicated himself to the pursuit of knowledge. He spent several hours every day reading and listening to educational tapes on a variety of subjects, including science, history, philosophy, and religion; his library filled an entire wall of his den. His last major study was of the human brain. Don and Mary enjoyed traveling together; they made trips across the U. S., vacationed in Hawaii, traveled to Europe, and cruised the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal. They loved each other dearly and were often seen walking together holding hands. Don always referred to Mary as “My Sweetie.” Don is survived by Mary; stepdaughters Patricia Luca and Shelly Waddell (Bob Waddell); step-grandchildren Dana Luca (Douglas Jones), Amanda Einsohn (Adam Einsohn), Blake Johnston (Stacey Johnston), and Maegan Messere (Daniel Messere); step-great-granddaughters Jena and Juliet Einsohn; and sister Darlene. A graveside service will be conducted at Oak Hill Cemetery in Escondido on Monday, January 13, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.